Im looking at a 97 Katana

[scottpA_GS]

Hey...

I don't have much info yet about it but I have found a 97 Katana for $2000

The pics look great and I am told that it is on good shape.. I have asked more questions but haven't heard back yet.


I don't know much about the Katana and don't hear them discussed much on here..

Anyone have any input on the 97 Katana?

Thanks 

[ashman]

I did a lil research on Katanas 600 and 750 since I too was interested (am still) in them. They are sposed to be on par w/ most bike in the reliablity dept, chain driven, air/oil cooled?, 70 or so HP. They are classified as a sport touring bike, but I sat on one at the dealers and they feel WAY more sport then tourer but you get good wind protection. They have a nice gauge selection, they are kinda on the heavy side and mpg are around 40. Oh and a 4cyl.

-ash

[Mk1inCali]

LOOK AWAY FROM THE KATANA.

[pantablo]

besides being butt ugly...they're workhorses. dead reliable with a face only a mother could love...

www.maximum-suzuki.com for lots of katana info. I think katanaworld.net is still around? or something like that...

[edit to correct website]

[Turd Ferguson]

+1 to Mr. Pablo.

They are fugly, awesome bikes.  The motor is a very proven powerplant from the mid-late eighties gixxer, the power is ample and they are more tourer than sport in my opinion.  They are comfortable going crazy in the twisties and they are uber comfortable for a long highway cruise.  A good bike, deffinately.

-Turd.

[yamahonkawazuki]

+1 to the can-a-tuna 

[Grainbelt]

They seem to be undervalued in the used marketplace. While I would prefer a YZF600R, good luck finding one for $2k.

I say check it out, you might like it, especially if you do alot of highway. Around town the weight and ergos might be bothersome.

[Stephen072774]

It has a steel frame, like the GS... its pretty heavy.  I used to ride with a guy that had one, i liked it pretty good, except that D&D pipe he had on it, aweful sounding. 

[Jake D]

The only downside of it is that people make fun of them all the time.  And it is heavy.  And ugly. 
I heard one with exhaust on it the other day.  Sounded damn good!  Try and find a YZF600R for comparable money.  I'd be willing to bet there is more of a following and more aftermarket.

[l3uddha]

LOOK AWAY FROM THE KATANA.

for many reasons. if you want a tourer get a tourer. if you want a sportbike, dont get a whale of a bike

[werase643]

same rear wheel as the GS...therefore same crappy selection of tars

have to do the 98+ kat wheel swap also

[Jace009gs]

Imagine a GS with 2 extra cyclinders and some extra padding


No I had a 750, it was like a dream for going back and forth to work (80miles round trip) Yes it was heavy like a dinosaur, but that can be compensated for driver ability, don't get into a spot where you need reverse

I'd have kept it except even the 750 cc is comparable with power to the SV650 or other 600 mild motor. Which is why I sold it and started my FZR 600 project bike. Dyno wise my FZR makes more power than the online findings I could dig up on the 750. Just realize the katana is a 1/2 breed so don't expect it to do anything perfect, it does everything good, just not over the top.